Polymorphism and π Stacking Affect Thermal Expansion Behavior in Halogen-Bonded Cocrystals Based on 1,4-Diiodoperchlorobenzene

The thermal expansion behavior of a series of halogen-bonded cocrystals containing 1,4-diiodoperchlorobenzene as the donor is described. Two of the solids are polymorphs and contain 4-stilbazole as the acceptor, while the third solid contains 4-(phenylethynyl)pyridine as the acceptor, and this solid is isostructural with one of the polymorphs. All solids are sustained by I···N halogen bonds, and the least thermal expansion occurs along this direction in all solids. The polymorphs exhibit significant differences in π stacking, and we show that electronically similar face-to-face stacked rings undergo more expansion compared to electronically different stacked rings. Moreover, in the two polymorphs, the directions of moderate expansion and most expansion are reversed, demonstrating how cocrystal polymorphism can affect material properties.